Myeongdong restaurant with QR ordering and cold pork slices: Baekok

Today I want to introduce a Korean restaurant serving gomtang (bone broth soup) that I visited in Myeongdong not long ago. Myeongdong is full of foreign tourists, of course, but this place nails the flavor for Korean palates too — I really wanted to recommend it! Let's get into the review.

Baekok Myeongdong

Where is Baekok Myeongdong, and what are its hours?

The branch I visited is Baekok Myeongdong, located in a Myeongdong alley. There are no closed days — it's open every day from 11 AM to 10 PM.

Since Myeongdong is packed with foreign tourists, it's full of places serving Korea's signature foods. Baekok is one of them, specializing in our gomtang — clear broth pork soup. A place that can deliver deep satisfaction even with a clear broth!

It was a late weekday evening but there were still plenty of customers! Lots of Korean guests and quite a few foreign visitors too. Everyone was enjoying flavors that weren't too intense and had broad appeal.

How QR code ordering works at Baekok Myeongdong

At Baekok, a Myeongdong Korean restaurant, ordering is simple via QR code! No need for a bulky kiosk, and it's easy for staff to use too — QR ordering was convenient all around.

What's on the menu at Baekok Myeongdong?

Baekok's menu is very simple: pork gomtang with its standout clear broth, yakgomtang simmered with neungi mushrooms, spicy yeolgomtang, and lighter options like cabbage dumplings, cold pork slices (naengjeyuk), and bulkkorangji — pork slow-cooked with spices until tender. Simple, but with quite a variety to enjoy.

We ordered the basic baekgomtang, the spicy yeolgomtang, and the cold pork slices! I'd been really curious about the cold pork, so there was no way I could skip it.

How does the clear baekgomtang taste?

The baekgomtang truly lived up to its name — a really clear broth with big chunks of meat standing out. The broth looked clear, but one spoonful revealed a refreshing depth hidden within that clarity — outstanding. Eating it, I thought, this really is a great Myeongdong spot for Korean gomtang. I think foreign visitors would love the baekgomtang. And it comes in a pretty brass bowl, which was a nice touch too.

How spicy is the yeolgomtang?

My boyfriend's yeolgomtang definitely had spicy chili paste mixed in, adding a kick to the clear broth. But it wasn't overly spicy, so I think foreign guests would find it manageable too. If you like something spicier, yeolgomtang is a good choice.

Naengjeyuk: cold sliced pork with lime juice

Next, the cold pork slices I'd been so curious about — it felt a bit like the sliced boiled pork (pyeonyuk) we usually eat. Cold meat can sometimes have a stronger smell, but this had none, and it came with lime juice to sprinkle on top, which suits foreign tastes well — I really liked that touch.

What really made me feel this is a genuine Myeongdong gomtang spot was the size of the meat — it's huge! Once it hit my mouth, the savory richness of the meat filled it completely, and I couldn't help but say, wow, this is so good! The white rice served soaked in the broth was fluffy too, and slurping it down with the soup was really satisfying.

My boyfriend, who prefers yeolgomtang, said he loves the spicy flavor. Great for settling your stomach after greasy food.

Adding a bit of the salted seafood (jeotgal) that comes with the cold pork got the seasoning just right, and even though the meat was cold, it was thin and tender enough to enjoy smoothly.

Why Baekok Myeongdong suits a friend visiting from abroad

By the end of the meal I was completely won over by the size and portion of the meat, haha. A hundred percent recommend it as a Myeongdong Korean restaurant for gomtang! The foreign visitors around us all seemed to be enjoying it too, so it seems like a place with broad appeal and no strong dislikes — a good spot to bring foreign friends when they visit!

On the way out, they even had toothpicks and canned mouthwash — such a thoughtful touch! That wraps up my introduction to Baekok Myeongdong, a great Myeongdong Korean restaurant. Even with a clear broth, it tasted clean yet deep with no excess — I loved that. It felt like the perfect hearty, comforting meal with savory meat broth that's easy on the stomach. The menu is tidy and clean, making it a great way to introduce Korean food, so I'd recommend it as a spot to bring your foreign friends.